Quantum Ransomware Group Targets Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs

The Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA) has recently become a target of the Quantum ransomware group, as announced on the group's dark web leak site. The FDVA plays a crucial role as the primary point of entry for Florida's veterans, offering access to services, benefits, and support. Florida, home to 1.5 million veterans, prides itself on being the most veteran-friendly state in the United States. The FDVA also spearheads various initiatives, including Hope Florida, which provides personalized guidance towards prosperity for Floridians, and the Continue the Mission initiative, aimed at recruiting veterans and military spouses for roles such as child protective investigators and DCF case managers.

The Quantum ransomware group, notorious for its data theft and double-extortion tactics, threatens to publish stolen data on its extortion blog if the ransom demands are not met. This group has actively targeted sectors such as defense, food and agriculture, and IT firms. The cyber attack on the FDVA is part of the broader Stop Ransomware campaign, highlighting the most active ransomware groups and the malware they use.

As of this report, the FDVA has not issued a statement regarding the cyber attack. This incident is among a series of ransomware attacks targeting Florida cities, including St. Cloud, Pensacola, and Jacksonville Beach. State officials are currently responding to the incident, though no hacking group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack.

The FDVA's experience is not unique, as government agencies have increasingly become targets for ransomware groups. In 2019, the National Veterinary Associates suffered the largest reported ransomware attack in the veterinary industry. To combat the threat of ransomware, organizations are advised to limit remote desktop access, closely monitor the use of remote access tools, and implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures.

Sources

• Feds issue Snatch ransomware alert as crims list new victim - TheRegister
• St. Cloud most recent in string of Florida cities hit with ransomware
• Quantum Ransomware Gang Claims Florida Dept. of Veterans Affairs as Victim
• Don't let cybercriminals hack your practice